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To: David Miliband MP, Secretary of State for DEFRA
From Stuart Sampson, Chairman of the National Association of
Boat Owners
Dear David
Re Waterways Grants-in-aid
I am very concerned about the waterways being expected to
suffer as a result of DEFRA's budget deficits. As Chairman of the National
Association of Boat Owners (NABO), I have a unique view of the situation, being
on first name terms with the directors of British Waterways (BW) and the
navigation department of the Environment Agency, but I also work for our
association from an 'office' that may be afloat anywhere on the rivers and
canals during the summer months, and I find myself looking out on sights like
the one attached. 
This view of the overgrown Stretton Aqueduct, where the
well-used Shropshire Union Canal crosses the A5, is one example of neglect that
doesn't appear on BW's glossy brochures. I have a sheaf of apologies in reply
to reports on the state of lesser publicised parts of the network, some
regarding quite serious safety matters. BW is being its own worst enemy if it
claims to be keeping the waterways to a high standard on the funds it has. Some
of our members feel standards in many areas are declining now and certainly
will if funding is cut. The prospect of 'BW self-sufficiency by 2012' is like
the prospect of paying off the mortgage - cut the funding only by a fraction
and it may never happen.
Our association aims to represent the lion's share of those
navigation authority customers who actually have to pay to use the waterways.
On BW's waters there are approaching 30.000 privately owned boats, probably
worth between £30,000 to £40,000 each, giving a total private
individuals' commitment to the waterways of around £1 billion. A similar
amount is invested by ordinary people in boats on EA controlled rivers. Despite
the size of these sums, those who have invested them are mainly from the
skilled working or retired 'classes' and therefore it represents hard earned
savings and, quite often, work put in by their own fair hands. Many wish to
pursue a 'low impact' leisure lifestyle and keep their spending within the UK.
They don't see why the value and returns they get from their commitment should
be put at risk from what they see as government incompetence. These are the
sort of citizens this country needs, please don't let them down.
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